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IAEA resolution passes with 19 votes in favour , three against and 11 abstentions, diplomatic sources say.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog’s Board of Governors has approved a resolution declaring Iran is not complying with its commitment to international nuclear safeguards, diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera, prompting a swift response from Tehran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors resolution passed on Thursday with 19 votes in favour, three against and 11 abstentions.
A text of the resolution seen by Reuters news agency said that “Iran’s many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019” to provide IAEA “with full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations constitute non-compliance with its obligations” under its agreement with the UN agency.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry and its Atomic Energy Organisation announced in a joint statement that the country will build a new uranium enrichment facility “in a secure location”, adding that “other measures… will be announced later”.
Iran’s Press TV also quoted the foreign ministry as saying that the board resolution “has no technical and legal basis.”
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Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Vienna, said that Russia, China and Burkina Faso were among the members of the 35-seat board to vote against the resolution.
Ahelbarra described passage of the resolution as a “significant diplomatic development”, noting that it was the first time in almost 20 years that the IAEA had accused Iran of breaching its non-proliferation obligations.
“Iran has a very small window to answer the resolution. Otherwise, it will face, massive, massive repercussions including the potential of further isolation and wide-range of sanctions.”
The IAEA vote comes as Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced on Thursday that the US and Iran will hold a sixth round of talks over Tehran’s advancing nuclear programme on Sunday.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said that the talks on Sunday in Oman would be “highly-influenced” by the IAEA resolution on Thursday.
Reaching a new nuclear deal is one of the several diplomatic priorities being juggled by US President Donald Trump and his trusted friend and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump had until recently expressed optimism about the talks, but said in an interview published on Wednesday that he was “less confident” about reaching a deal.
Trump also reiterated that he would not allow Iran to have an atomic bomb amid mounting speculation that Israel could strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
On Wednesday, Iran threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out. According to reports, the US has also evacuated non-essential staffers from several countries in the Middle East.
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